The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-11-24


though my wire never revealed any such
instructions; but his manner was so OBJ
trusive, he was so important in his bear
ing, that instead of respecting him as ]
was first inclined to do, he became very
distasteful to me, and I could not bear
his presence. 1t took, of course, long
time for things to develop to this ex-
tent, but it finally eliminated two
months ago in my throwing up
my key as they say among the oper-
ators. Instead of taking the hint, as it
seemed to me it was very evident he
should do, he has followed me so per
sistently that told Charlie of it and he
has sworn that if he meets him he will
shoot him. Charlie is so quick tenn
pered, but true-hearted, that l am sure
he will keep his word. Now, what l
want you to do is to help me to make
this man desist, for Charlie will surely
do something that will bring our family
name into notoriety if he ever sees him.
Will you help me9"
She had spoken so earnestly, so openly,
so free from affectation, that, as she pro-
ceeded, she held me spell-bound, until
she mentioned "Charlic," when queer
feeling ran over me and l was even more
at a loss for something to say than when
she first entered the room.
Charlie Who was Charlic3
Was he her lover Did
she think that I was there solely
to serve her, regardless of others1 my
blood almost run cold when realized
that l had come on an errand of help to
her. l had indicated by my presence
that l was willing to do her bidding
and that the idea of "playing second
fiddle" was neither here nor there.
swallowed the lump in my throat and
huskily replied:
"Miss Hilliard, it will be great
pleasure to me to be of the slightest SER
vice to you. Name the task and I will
help you if can. First, give mo the
name of this offensive party and I will
proceed to the best of my ability"
What an effort it was to say that
There was "Charlie" still ringing in my
ears and, to my horror, she burst forth
ooh, am so glad! l know you can
help me. You newspaper men have
such faculty for digging out scrapes
and Charlie won't have anything
to do with it. How I would
hate to have him do anything rash.
| love him so, that it would
break my heart to see his temper lead
him to an extreme in this matter, for hi
thinks the world of me-"
There was "Charlie" again! HI
thought the world of her. She evidently
wanted someone else to rid her of hcl
unpleasant follower, SO that Charlie!
fingers might not be soiled by the affair
Well, must keep my word to her any
way; but left that house in a far diff
ferent frame of mind than when
entered it.
"Confound that young one and he
ticker"
Once in my room l began to thinl
over the case. The unpleasant fellow
name was Charles H. Blockley. hac
met him several times but had no par
ticular connection with him, save OF
one occasion when I had been as
signed to "write up an affair il
Logansport. / had occasion t.
use the wire considerably a
the Office wherein Blockley presided
and talked considerably with him in
business way. AS ransacked my brail
in the matter I recollected that thi
same operator was mixed up in littl
defalcation in that same office; that tn
affair had been hushed up; that he ha'
been allowed to remain in his position
which was quite lucrative one, by tn
clemency of his "super," who consid
cred him an expert operator.
''Now," l thought, "here is point t
work on; but, plague take it all, wha
pleasure is there now in working 70
her, when it is only to rid her of a
obstacle to her complete enjoyment Q
the society of another. Confound tn
ticker, contound Charlie, confoun
stopped. If my temper was gettin!
the best of me why could I blam
Charlie2
I had promised, and must do it, bu
assured myself that in the next affai
of the kind would know what wa
working for, before promised.
Next day went to Logansport an
called on Blockley. Inviting him to
private conversation, said abrupt,
and significantly:
"You remember that little affair Q
yours here, about eight months ago9'
Blockley started, felt he was power
less, hesitated, and then nodded affirm
atively.
"Then let me tell you something
Miss Hilliard is tired of your attentions
wants them discontinued. As l am
near friend of hers, am in positio
to demand cessation of your pcrsecu
tion of her-if you persist, 1 will vent
late few facts, then you
name will have enough con
nected with it to forever prohibi
your hoping to win her hand or for
tune"
l emphasized "fortune," and Block
ley understood. then handed him IN
card with the remark:
''You can judge for yourself whethe